©2017 New England Aquarium, an affiliate of the HandsOn Connect, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 | 617 - 973 - 5200
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Internship Positions Include:
Click on each position to learn more about position details, descriptions, and eligibility requirements!
Please note that these descriptions are not all-encompassing - click each position for more in-depth details.
Animal Husbandry Internships
- Giant Ocean Tank- Giant Ocean Tank Interns work within our Giant Ocean Tank, a 200,000 gallon tank that is home to over 1,000 individual animals. Interns assist in basic husbandry for species such as bonnethead sharks, green eels, Myrtle the Green Sea Turtle, and more. This position requires a SCUBA Certification, 25 logged dives, and at least 5 logged dives within the last 12-months. Click to learn more about dive requirements for this internship, as well as more information on duties and responsibilities!
- Penguin Colony- Penguin Interns assist in basic husbandry for our Penguin Colony, which is home to Rockhoppers and African Penguins. This position requires that candidates are 5'4" in height to be considered for this Internship. Click to learn more about height requirements, as well as more information on duties and responsibilities!
-Marine Mammal Training- Marine Mammal Training Interns assist training staff in all aspects of animal welfare with a strong emphasis on operant conditioning, training techniques, marine mammal husbandry, and enrichment. Interns play an integral role assisting staff during training sessions and presentations, and work in close proximity to the animals. Second semester interns will have additional responsibilities and more advanced curriculum and mentoring. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
-Marine Mammal Enrichment- Enrichment Interns will a heavy focus on enrichment fabrication and overall implementation of the Marine Mammal enrichment program. Interns play an integral role assisting staff during training sessions and presentations, and work in close proximity to the animals. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Quincy Animal Care Center- Located at the New England Aquarium’s Quincy Animal Care Center (QACC) in Quincy, MA. This offsite quarantine and holding facility has both large and small systems home to a diverse group of species. The QACC Aquarist Intern assists with daily husbandry for a variety of animals from stingrays to reef fish to live foods. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Northern Waters Gallery- Northern Waters Interns work within our Cold Marine gallery, assisting in basic husbandry for a variety of species such as the Giant Pacific Octopus, Goosefish, and Atlantic Cod. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Temperate Gallery - Temperate Gallery Interns work within our Temperate Gallery, assisting in basic husbandry for a variety of species such as the Goliath Groupers, Sea Dragons, and more. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Tropical Gallery - Assist staff with the daily husbandry responsibilities of the Tropical Gallery. The Tropical Gallery features animals native to the Indo-Pacific such as live corals, tropical fishes, and a variety of reef dwelling invertebrates. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Freshwater Gallery- Freshwater Gallery Interns work within our Freshwater Gallery, assisting in basic husbandry for a wide variety of species, such as piranhas, anacondas, catfish, and a variety of other reptiles and amphibians. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Yawkey Coral Gallery- Yawkey Interns work within our Yawkey Coral Reef Exhibit, assisting in basic husbandry for species such as the Black Brotula, Garden Eels, Dwarf Seahorses, and more. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Changing Exhibits - Assist staff Aquarists with animal husbandry responsibilities of the New England Aquarium’s Science of Sharks exhibits, Blue Planet Action Center which houses animal ambassadors herps, shorebirds exhibit, live foods program, jellies culturing and exhibits, as well as holding areas supporting these exhibits.
- Interactive Exhibits - Assist staff Aquarists with animal husbandry responsibilities of the New England Aquarium’s Shark and Ray Touch Tank, Edge of Sea Tidepool Touch Tank (currently closed to the public) and surrounding exhibits, live coral and mangrove exhibits, headstart turtle program, shark and ray rearing program, as well as holding areas supporting these exhibits.
Animal Health Internships
- Aquarium Medical Center- Aquarium Medical Center Interns work in our Aquarium Medical Center, assisting our veterinarians and vet techs in the medical care of all in-house animals. Interns observe medical procedures, as well as assist in basic husbandry for animals under the care of the veterinary staff. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Sea Turtle Rescue - Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitiation Interns work within our Quincy Rescue and Rehab facility, assisting in basic husbandry for wild sea turtles undergoing medical care from our veterinary staff. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
-Sea Turtle Rescue Clinical - Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Interns work with our Quincy Rescue and Rehab facility, by providing supporting for medical treatments for stranded, injured and diseased marine animals throughout the New England coastal region. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
Museum Operations Internships
- Dive Operations - NEAq’s Dive Ops Internship is an educational opportunity for an individual to work alongside the Dive operations team who aspires to become a dive professional through an aquarium, university, or research vessel.. Interns are responsible for assisting in all aspects of dive operations through hands-on training above and below the water.
- Marketing and Communications - Marketing and Communications Interns work with our Marketing Department, assisting with daily operations and marketing projects. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Volunteer Programming - Volunteer Programming Interns work with our Office of Volunteer Programming and Internships, helping to manage and support our ~1,400 active volunteers and interns. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Volunteer Database Management - The Volunteer Database Management Intern supports daily operations of the Volunteer Programs & Internships Office's CRM systems, primarily Salesforce with Hands-On-Connect. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Development and Grant Writing- Development and Grant Writing Interns work with our Development Department, learning about grant-writing and fundraising within a non-profit/museum setting. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Human Resources: Human Resources Interns work with our Human Resources Department, assisting with daily operations related to hiring, as well as providing support for current staff. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Audio/ Visual Technology- Audio/Visual Technology Interns work with our IT Department, assisting with daily operations related to a wide variety of presentation-based needs, including troubleshooting exhibit spaces, presentation spaces, and events. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Information Technology- Information Technology Interns work with our IT Department, assisting with daily operations related to building technology, assisting with maintaining our Help Desk as well as providing both hardware and software based support. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Event Planning and Coordination- Event Planning Interns work with our Events Department, assisting with daily operations related to planning and hosting Aquarium events, both internal and external. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
Research Internships
- Marine Mammal Education and Research- Marine Mammal Education and Research Interns work with the Boston Harbor Cruises Whale Watch team, participating in data collection and research related to marine mammals, as well as providing educational opportunities and support to whale watch attendees. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- BalanceBLUE Research- The BalanceBLUE Lab is seeking an intern to assist with a number of initiatives aiming to educate investors interested in growing the blue economy on various issues regarding the ocean. The end goal is to supply investors with the information they need to feel comfortable in supporting businesses and ideas that can deliver significant environmental and social benefit.
- Marine Debris Research- The intern will assist the Spatial Ecology, Mapping and Assessment Program (EcoMap) and the BalanceBLUE Lab in collating a multi-year dataset of marine debris sightings photographed during aerial surveys and will conduct basic analyses to identify potential trends (hotspots, seasonality, etc.). This work will support external ongoing efforts to document marine debris in the Northeast.
- Aquaculture Research- This position will work with the Aquaculture Programs Manager to review relevant RAS operations (both domestic and abroad) and collate common challenges and opportunities to scaling up production. This could include internet research, as well as interviews with RAS companies and blue technology innovators. The intern will also assist with a number of activities aimed at disseminating information to relevant stakeholders, including those with limited knowledge of aquaculture.
Education Internships
- Marine Mammal Education and Research- Marine Mammal Education and Research Interns work with the Boston Harbor Cruises Whale Watch team, participating in data collection and research related to the marine mammals, as well as providing educational opportunities and support to whale watch attendees. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
- Conservation Education - Conservation Education Interns work with our Visitor Education Department, assisting with all visitor interactions and providing in-depth details regarding our exhibits and animals as well as promoting the importance of ocean sustainability and protection. Click to learn more about other duties and responsibilities!
Externships
- Veterinary Student - Extern - Veterinary Externs complete a 6-8 week rotation with our Animal Health Department, working with our Veterinary staff. Externs will complete rotations throughout the building, completing hands-on learning in animal husbandry and marine veterinary medicine. Please note, to be eligible for this position, applicants must be in their 3rd of 4th year at an accredited Veterinary school, and must apply for the following school year. Click to learn more about eligibility, as well as information about other duties and responsibilities.
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